2025 March
NEW CPS FORMS
TXdocs is proud to introduce a new chapter to our Family Law volume dedicated to cases filed by the Department of Family and Protective Services. This chapter provides essential forms to assist attorneys in representing families and the best interests of the child. Below is the list of forms included in the initial release, with more to come:
- 52.01 - Attorney Appearance
- 52.02 - Respondent's [Special Appearance and] Original Answer - Termination
- 52.03 - Original Answer of Attorney Ad Litem for Children
- 52.20 - Respondent's Request for Discovery to DFPS
- 52.21 - Respondent or Ad Litem's Request for Section 262.014 Disclosure
- 52.30 - Respondent's Motion for Monitored Return
- 52.31 - Order for Motion for Monitored Return
- 52.35 - Motion to Retain Suit on Docket and Set New Dismissal Date
- 52.36 - Order Retaining Suit on Docket and Setting Court Proceeding Dates
- 52.37 - Motion for Continuance of Trial
- 52.38 - Order on Motion for Continuance of Trial
- 52.39 - Motion (Shell)
Special thanks to Melissa Muñoz, who has provided forms, direction and instruction in this project. Melissa retired from the Office of the Attorney General, Child Support Division, after 26 years of service and has dedicated her practice to representing parents and children in child protection cases in Bexar County. Her expertise has been invaluable in designing this chapter to meet the real-world needs of attorneys working in this field.
You can view the complete list of the forms in our Family Law volume here. Have a form you'd like us to add to TXdocs? Let us know!
You can view the complete list of the forms in our Family Law volume here. Have a form you'd like us to add to TXdocs? Let us know!
SOFTWARE & CONTENT UPGRADES
We're off to a great start in 2025, making tons of updates and improvements to TXdocs. In addition to our new CPS chapter, some of our most notable recent updates include:Headers & Footers
We've upgraded our header and footer fields to allow users to add attorney names and initials. Multiline headers and footers can be set up in Format Wizard, where you can also now select different font styles and sizes for each line.
TXdocs Editor
We've fixed an issue with TXdocs Editor where some characters appeared to be squished together. The text characters now appear crisper, and the width and height of the text now matches with documents created using Microsoft Word.
We've also added a new option in the TXdocs menu which easily allows you to add letterhead to your document within the TXdocs Editor. Letterhead can be configured in Format Wizard.
Probate Improvements
In our Probate volume, we've added a new form set for Adjudicating Community Property Survivorship Agreements. We've also made improvements to our Heirship Tree tool to now allow for approximate dates.
To learn more about our recent content and software updates click here or below.
UPCOMING FAMILY LAW WEBINAR -
FREE CLE CREDIT
We hope you can join us on Thursday, March 27 at 12:00 PM for a free webinar entitled "Secrets from the Bench: Judge Longino's Guide to Family Law Asset Division."
This course, presented by former Harris County Judge Tristan Longino, will show attendees how to use TXdocs' Family Law Inventory Tool and its Proposed Division Tool. These tools enable users to quickly create and update the assets and debts of a divorce case, and to create the division of those assets and debts between the two parties.
This course, presented by former Harris County Judge Tristan Longino, will show attendees how to use TXdocs' Family Law Inventory Tool and its Proposed Division Tool. These tools enable users to quickly create and update the assets and debts of a divorce case, and to create the division of those assets and debts between the two parties.
This course has been approved by the State Bar of Texas MCLE Committee for 1.0 hour of Ethics CLE credit. To register to attend this webinar please click here or below.
TRCP AND TRAP RULE CHANGES
No fooling, Texas Rules are changing on April 1! The Texas Supreme Court issued final approved amendments to Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 10 and Texas Rule of Appellate Procedure 6 affecting withdrawals as attorney or counsel of record. TXdocs has ensured that our Motions to Withdraw (available in Family law, Litigation, Probate, Guardianship, and Criminal Defense) are in compliance, providing all of the required information, including the new requirements for additional contact information (e-mail address) for the parties.
FEATURE HIGHLIGHT: FAMILY LAW INVENTORY TOOL
TXdocs' Family Law Inventory tool is a great time-saver for your firm! This feature allows you to collect inventory information from your client and easily create and update the assets and debts of a divorce case.
Our Family Law Inventory and Proposed Division tools have recently been overhauled for a more intuitive user experience. As a result of this upgrade:
Our Family Law Inventory and Proposed Division tools have recently been overhauled for a more intuitive user experience. As a result of this upgrade:
- it is now easier than ever to create and modify the list of assets and debts;
- reimbursements and reconstitutions are now simpler to add and manage in the proposed division;
- the Proposed Division Tool now allows you to hide unused categories, improving your overview of community property;
- collateralized debts are now grouped with their associated assets, making it easier to assign both to a party; and
- the Proposed Division Excel export now reflects all recent changes in the Inventory tool.
WEBINAR RECORDING: DRAFTING DOCUMENTS LIKE IT'S 2025
If you missed our January webinar on Drafting documents like it's 2025, you can watch a recording here or below.
This course discusses how to use TXdocs and its built-in word processor (TXdocs Editor) to draft legal documents that are ready to be eFiled.
In this course, TXdocs' COO, Dries Driessen, demonstrates several time-saving features of the TXdocs Editor, including: 1) editing of fields, 2) downloading/printing, 3) style configuration, 4) digital signatures, 5) creating/using text snippets to customize your forms, and more.
You can watch recordings of all prior webinars – as well as numerous other informational videos – whenever you'd like on our website.
In this course, TXdocs' COO, Dries Driessen, demonstrates several time-saving features of the TXdocs Editor, including: 1) editing of fields, 2) downloading/printing, 3) style configuration, 4) digital signatures, 5) creating/using text snippets to customize your forms, and more.
You can watch recordings of all prior webinars – as well as numerous other informational videos – whenever you'd like on our website.
HB 2169 - STATE BAR FORMS LICENSING
TXdocs needs your help! We would like to offer the State Bar of Texas' forms as an optional add-on to TXdocs. However, we can't currently do that because the State Bar maintains an exclusive licensing agreement with Thomson Reuters Corporation/West Publishing Company.
State Representative Shelby Slawson has filed HB 2169 to remedy this situation by requiring the Bar to license their forms to other legal software companies like TXdocs.
We're asking our subscribers to let their state officials know that they support the passage of HB 2169. If you are willing to help, please click here and fill in your contact information so we can notify your state representatives of your support.
We're asking our subscribers to let their state officials know that they support the passage of HB 2169. If you are willing to help, please click here and fill in your contact information so we can notify your state representatives of your support.
FINCEN BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORT
Just a reminder: the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network ("FinCEN") requires most reporting companies to file a Business Organization Information ("BOI") report before the current deadline of March 21, 2025. Reporting companies can file their BOI reports directly to FinCEN here.
FinCEN requires this reporting of beneficial ownership under the Corporate Transparency Act ("CTA"), in furtherance of the CTA's aim to combat illegal activity. For more information you can read FinCEN's notice here.
FinCEN requires this reporting of beneficial ownership under the Corporate Transparency Act ("CTA"), in furtherance of the CTA's aim to combat illegal activity. For more information you can read FinCEN's notice here.
FORMZ UPDATE
So far in 2025, we have fulfilled 32 FormZ requests. Among them were several exciting improvements, including:
1. building out probate applications and orders for Wills that have not been self-proved;
2. adding a new Guardianship Motion and Order to Withdraw; and
3. improving Temporary Orders in Family Law to include built-out options for possession of a child under the age of three.
2. adding a new Guardianship Motion and Order to Withdraw; and
3. improving Temporary Orders in Family Law to include built-out options for possession of a child under the age of three.
As a refresher, "FormZ" (pronounced "form-zee") is what TXdocs calls our proprietary software to track subscriber requests for new forms, fixes, or improvements. For a complete list of the content and software updates included in our prior releases, click here.
Have a suggestion for us? We'd love to hear from you! Please contact us on our website, email us, or give us a call at (210) 253-9506.
Have a suggestion for us? We'd love to hear from you! Please contact us on our website, email us, or give us a call at (210) 253-9506.
TIPS AND TRICKS
Can I set TXdocs to automatically send a copy of eFiling emails to a specified address?
Yes! You can set TXdocs to send a courtesy copy of eFiling emails to a specific email address. This address will be pre-filled as the courtesy copy address to save you time. To set the email address to receive these copies, go to the "Integrated eFiling" tab, click the "Manage Firm" button, and then select "Firm info".
In what increments does TXdocsPlus bill time?
You can set TXdocs to bill for time in minutes, tenths of an hour, or hundredths of an hour. This selection is made on your Billing Settings tab under the Billing Preferences section.
DID YOU KNOW?
Law is one of the oldest professions in Western civilization, dating back to ancient Greece. At the time, Greek citizens were supposed to represent themselves in all legal proceedings. However, many called on "friends" for assistance in navigating these legal acts, though accepting money to plead someone else's case was technically illegal. This led to the legal profession becoming a black-market affair for ancient Athenians.
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